North Gayton extension opens to traffic

Citizen Staff Reports

10/09/12

The North Gayton Road Extension opened to traffic on Oct. 6, improving access to northwestern Henrico County and relieving traffic on Pouncey Tract Road and at West Broad Street’s intersection with Pouncey Tract and Pump roads.

Henrico Department of Public Works officials recommend that motorists use caution as they acclimate to the new road and traffic patterns. Some work by contractors will be ongoing.

The 2.1-mile project has provided a new, divided, six-lane road that extends North Gayton northward from West Broad. After a bridge crossing of Interstate 64, the North Gayton extension narrows to four lanes at a relocated Bacova Drive before linking to Pouncey Tract. In addition, Shady Grove Road has been widened to four lanes between Pouncey Tract and Twin Hickory Road.

The project includes sidewalks and pedestrian and bicycle paths, and, in some areas, curbs and gutters.

The $48 million North Gayton extension project has been funded entirely by Henrico through the bond referendum approved by county voters in 2005. It was pursued as a design-build project through the Virginia Public-Private Transportation Act, which allowed the contractor to plan and construct the road to the county’s specifications for a fixed price. The Board of Supervisors in September 2007 approved a contract with a group led by W.C. English of Lynchburg. Construction started in December 2009.

The North Gayton Extension is projected to carry as many as 15,000 vehicles per day.

The 10th Annual Filipino Festival will be held Aug. 7-8 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 8200 Woodman Rd., beginning with opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. Friday and continuing with live entertainment, food and exhibits until 10 p.m. On Saturday the festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a full schedule of performances featuring traditional Filipino dance, music and song.

Filipino cuisine, including BBQ, pansit, lumpia, adobo, halo-halo, lechon, empanada and leche flan, will be available for purchase. The festival will also feature a children's area, church tours, exhibits, and health screenings. > Read more.

The Children’s Museum of Richmond last week opened its new Short Pump location at Short Pump Town Center, to the delight of children who attended a sneak preview of the location July 10. The new facility, located under the forthcoming LL Bean store (formerly the food court) is 8,500 square feet in size – much larger than CMoR’s former Short Pump location at West Broad Village, which opened in 2010. The new space includes The CarMax Foundation Service Station, the Silver Diner, a grocery store, a performance stage and an art studio, as well as a giant Light Bright Wall. > Read more.

The Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Henrico Police are both presenting community events tomorrow, Aug. 1. The Feria Community Resource Fair at Richmond International Raceway brings together community service providers, embassies/consulates from Latin American countries, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and corporations that impact the Latino community. The Division of Police’s Community Day will feature demonstrations and displays from police, fire, animal protection and sheriff’s office, as well as family activities, food, entertainment and more. Other events this weekend include wine, chess and theatre! For all our top picks this weekend, click here! > Read more.